Baseball Video Game Is a Big Hit!

Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 10:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 10:03 a.m.

It’s time for the annual release of baseball games. If you have a PlayStation 3 or the handheld Vita, your choice is clear: “MLB 13 The Show” (rated Everyone). The Sony exclusive franchise is by far the best baseball experience on the market, with incredibly realistic players and stadiums, and graceful on-field action.

If you’re a regular fan of the series you probably don’t need much convincing to buy the latest edition, which features a new Playoff mode and revamped Franchise and Road to the Show modes. “The Show” has always been fairly complex (at least in my experience) to newcomers, but luckily, this year’s version seems much more approachable.

The notoriously tough batting system has been made easier across all difficulties. In addition, the new Beginner mode eases you in to the more challenging aspects of hitting, and there’s a Smart Tutorial system that detects your mistakes on the field and gently offers help as needed.

As a casual fan of “The Show,” I’m relieved to hear the series is becoming a little more accessible.

If you’re on Xbox 360, the baseball options are lackluster as usual. The “2K” franchise returns with “MLB 2K13” (360, PS3; rated Everyone), but there’s no real indication that this year’s version includes any significant new features or improvements. “MLB 2K” reviews have been mediocre for ages and there was some speculation that the franchise would be discontinued. I actually enjoyed last year’s installment, but it was certainly rough around the edges compared to “The Show.”

“MLB 2K13” at least has a couple of things going for it: The Rays’ David Price is on the cover, and you can get the game bundled with the highly successful “NBA 2K13” in an $80 combo pack.

I’m really excited for this week’s release of “Tomb Raider” (360, PS3, PC; rated Mature). The longstanding action-adventure series has been reimagined as a harrowing survival tale, with a more grounded take on hero Lara Croft. The new “Tomb Raider” focuses on Croft’s origins as a shipwrecked adventurer trying to stay alive on a remote, mercenary-infested island. It’s a dark and hostile setting with plenty of space to roam and intriguing sites to explore. I’ve never considered myself a big “Tomb Raider” fan, even in the series’ heyday, but the new game really stands out from its predecessors. It was widely reviewed before release and has been a hit with critics.

Yet another big release this week is the new “SimCity” (PC; rated Everyone). The latest sequel boasts a snazzy graphics engine and the option to develop an entire region of cities, either by yourself or with friends online.

“Mass Effect 3” (360, PS3, PC) also gets its final piece of downloadable content in “Citadel,” available for $15 this week.

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